Putin says firms seeking state subsidies should use AI

MOSCOW, Jul 20 (PRIME) -- Compulsory exploitation of artificial intelligence (AI) should be included in the list of requirements for the companies seeking Russian state subsidies, President Vladimir Putin said late on Wednesday at a meeting with the government.

“We have already agreed with you on how to act in this situation which is to include the requirement of an obligatory use of artificial intelligence for the companies that plan to receive subsidies from the federal budget. Do you want subsidies? Please evolve in this direction,” Putin said.

The president said that the 2024–2026 federal budget should stipulate the money to finance the research centers working with AI.

“We should expand the range of companies with state participation that use or plan to use artificial intelligence mechanisms in their activities. Please consider it as a direct order, we should work with these companies,” Putin said.

He added that “changes in the corporate strategies of digital transformation will be required.”

Russia should constantly strengthen its positions in the AI industry. “It should be done on our own scientific base,” Putin said.

“I understand everything well, there are restrictions, we cannot do it without certain connections, contacts there and developments on the global level. Nevertheless, we should think of our own resources when providing true technological independence of our country,” the president said.

Putin also asked the government together with the parliament’s lower house State Duma to approve a bill giving the market access to big data during the 2023 autumn session. The information related to the people should be anonymized and safely protected, he added.

Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev said that the ministry wants to include AI projects in the strategies of digital transformation of state companies to speed up AI introduction.

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